Is PrEP Right for YOU?

In 2021, there were 32,100 estimated new HIV infections, and an estimated 1.2 million people in the United States had HIV at the end of 2021. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective for preventing HIV. PrEP is for adults and adolescents without HIV who are at risk of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. PrEP is highly effective when taken as prescribed. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by up to 99% and from injection drug use by at least 74%. See the Figure below. PrEP can be pills or shots. Truvada and Descovy are the two pills approved for use as PrEP. Truvada is for people at risk through sex or injection drug use. Descovy is for people at risk through sex. Descovy is not for people assigned female at birth who are at risk for HIV through receptive vaginal sex. Apretude is the only shot approved for use as PrEP. Apretude is for people at risk through sex who weigh at least 77 pounds (35 kg). PrEP is safe and effective for preventing HIV. IPH is located at 9053 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Call 313-309-9350 ext. 2 for more information on PrEP and HIV testing.

High Blood Pressure is Preventable and Treatable

Nearly half of the adults in the United States (48.1%, or 119.9 million) have hypertension. About half of adults (45%) with uncontrolled hypertension have a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher. High blood pressure costs the United States about $131 billion each year. Hypertension increases a person’s risk for heart disease, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, cognitive decline, and pregnancy complications. See the Figure below. Every year, about 700 women die in the United States due to pregnancy or its complications. Black women are three times as likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. High blood pressure during pregnancy increases the risk of preeclampsia, eclampsia, stroke, preterm delivery, low birth weight, and placental abruption. High blood pressure is preventable and treatable. Monitor your blood pressure. IPH has a Hypertension Control program with a home self-monitoring blood pressure device. If you are interested in controlling your blood pressure, enroll in the Hypertension Control program today by calling (313) 309-9350 ext. 2. IPH is located at 9053 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. among cancers that affect both men and women. In 2023, 153,020 new cases of colon and rectum cancer were reported, and 52,550 colon and rectal deaths were reported in the United States. In 2020, 3,803 colon and rectum cancer cases were reported and 1,791 colon and rectum cancer deaths were reported in Michigan. Routine screening for colorectal cancer beginning at age 45 can save lives! See the Figure below. The screening tests include stool tests Guaiac-based Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT), Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (Flex Sig), and Colonoscopy. Regular colon cancer screening tests like colonoscopy help prevent colon cancer by identifying and removing polyps before polyps turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early when treatment works best. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Are you getting regular colorectal cancer screening tests? Get screened. Come to IPH for a Cologuard and a referral for a Colonoscopy. IPH is located at 9053 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Call 313-309-9350 ext. 2.